World Superbikes at Donington Park preview

Davies in second place has a 25-point advantage over Sykes. In fourth is Marco Melandri on the second factory Ducati, and fifth is the surprise package of the season so far, Xavi Fores, also on a Ducati. The top six is completed by Michael van der Mark riding a Yamaha.

Rea, who was awarded the MBE in 2017, will have his autobiography published by Harper Collins in October, by which time, based on current form, he should have cliched his fourth consecutive World Superbike title.

With rumours circulating that Rea is being courted by teams in MotoGP, it could be his last for a while.

2018 World Superbike Championship standings

1. Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki) 209 points

2. Chaz Davies (Ducati) 162

3. Tom Sykes (Kawasaki) 137

4. Marco Melandri (Ducati) 131

5. Xavi Fores (Ducati) 124

6. Michael van der Mark (Yamaha) 113

Supersport Championship

Ahead of Donington, only six points separates the top four in the 2018 World Supersport championship. A fifth-placed finish at Imola was sufficient for Randy Krummenacher to take the lead for the first time this season. With previous series leader Lucas Mahias only managing eighth place, he now trails Krummenacher by two points.

The same margin separates Mahias from Sandro Cortese in third, who in turn has a two-point lead over Jules Cluzel in fourth. The top six is completed by Frederico Caricasulo and Raffaele De Rosa. The top five are all on Yamahas.